Longtime Reno resident Mary Martin passed away peacefully at her home in Oakley with her family by her side on Sunday Oct. 9, 2011 at the golden age of 95 years and four months.

Mary moved to Reno from California in 1962. In 1980, after retiring from 11 years with K-mart, she moved to Truth or Consequences, N.M. She spent seven years enjoying time with her sister Cecelia and family. She returned to Reno, where she lived at the Volunteers of America Nevada Residence until her 90th birthday. Five years ago, Mary moved to her son and wife’s home in Marana, Ariz. and then to her daughter’s home in Oakley.

Mary’s philosophy of life: “I like to make the most of every day by giving, loving, living and bringing joy to those I love, to all my friends and neighbors and all people. I don’t believe in hating anyone. To me it’s a waste of time that could be used for spreading love. I believe by doing the best I can for myself and others by using my time and abilities, I can help make a better and happier world.

“I like to treat everyone as I would like to be treated with kindness, courage, sympathy, respect and love as needed, with an open mind and heart. When I smile at you, I’m saying ‘I love you’ whether I know you or not, ‘God Bless you and keep you in the best of health.’ So, if I smile at you, smile back and make my day.”

Mary is smiling at each of us from above. Let’s make her day and smile back.

Mary Martin Waldman Kinnunen Fouts Travelue is survived by her brothers, Tony and Jackie Martin, and numerous cousins; her children, Jerome Waldman of Sparks, Nev.; Patricia Waldman of Lakeland, Fla.; Steve Waldman of Marana, Ariz.; Nancy Potts of Sparks, Nev.; Charlene Gutierrez of Oakley and Keith Kinnunen of La Habra, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Jacinto and Maria Martin; and siblings, Floyd, Mandine, Cecelia, Eliza, Arturro and Alicia.

A quiet gravesite prayer was held at Mountain View Mausoleum in Reno on Oct. 15.